FRANKENSTUDE TM

In 1997 I was hired to model for the Frankenstude, a rebuilt 1948 Studebaker Starlite Coupe.  Designed and developed here in Minnesota, the car debuted as sculpture at the Minneapolis Institute of arts in august of '97.  The car is powered by a 385 horsepower, 350 cubic inch Chevrolet Corvette L-98 motor.  It is a serious machine.  I got teary eyed the first time i saw it.

We were doing this photo shoot in the General Mills sculpture gardens until the CEO drove past, and i had just taken off my robe!  Enraged by my outfit, security was called and a little guy in a golf cart appeared,  kindly asking us to remove ourselves.  The owner, thinking he had already attained permission (as well as knowing his legal rights to shoot on public grounds) went inside to argue the case.  He came back some time later saying "We have to go.  They think Thomasina is giving Betty Crocker a bad image."  I thought it was funny, and considered it to be a personal triumph.  

Visit www.frankenstude.com for more information on this car.